Backpack the Teton Crest Trail in Grand Teton National Park

Nestled in the heart of the rugged Teton Range, the Teton Crest Trail offers one of the most breathtaking hiking experiences in the American West. Spanning nearly 40 miles of diverse terrain, the trail weaves through alpine meadows, craggy ridges, and glacial lakes, providing hikers with unparalleled views of jagged peaks and pristine wilderness. From its high-altitude vistas to its lush forested valleys, the Teton Crest Trail is a testament to the natural grandeur of Grand Teton National Park.

Trailhead elevation 10,927'

Water abundant throughout

Don't miss the spur trail to Schoolroom Glacier

Rendezvous Peak to Death Canyon Shelf

From Teton Village, hikers can take the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram for a fee, which transports them nearly 4,200 feet up to Rendezvous Peak (10,932'). This option reduces the hike by about 4 miles and 2,400 feet of elevation gain. Starting from Rendezvous Peak, the trail descends through switchbacks and rolling hills full of pine trees, eventually merging with the Teton Crest Trail around the 4.3-mile mark. Along this section, hikers are surrounded by vibrant wildflower fields, including Wyoming Indian paintbrush, Wyoming lupine, Colorado columbine, pink funnel lady, aster, goldeneye, and more.

At approximately 5.8 miles, the trail climbs through a brief but steep series of switchbacks. Before reaching Marion Lake, hikers may want to pause at the top of the last switchback and look southeast to see the aerial tramway, gaining perspective on their journey. The trail arrives at Marion Lake around 6.6 miles. Flanked towering granite cliffs to the west and lush wildflower fields to the east and north, Lake Marion offers a refreshing spot to relax or swim in its crystal clear and surprisingly tepid waters.

Beyond Marion Lake, the trail climbs over Fox Creek Pass, where hikers are rewarded with their first glimpse of the Tetons. Near the 8.7-mile mark, just beyond the junction with the Fox Creek Trail, a faint spur trail on the right side of the main trail leads 0.2 miles to Pass Lake. This is the last reliable water source before reaching the Death Canyon Shelf Camping Zone. Shortly afterward, hikers will join the Death Canyon Shelf Trail and begin another moderate ascent with the Tetons directly ahead.

Around the 9-mile mark, the trail passes through a large rock garden and enters the Death Canyon Shelf Camping Zone. Near the 11-mile mark, the zone's sole group site is located on the left side of the trail, with five individual sites on the right, nestled among groupings of pine trees. Each individual site can accommodate several tents, with the fifth site offering stunning views of Death Canyon's entrance to the east and South Teton, Middle Teton, and Buck Mountain to the northeast.

About 200 yards beyond the fifth individual site, hikers will find a stream that crosses the trail, serving as the final filterable water source in the area. The Death Canyon Shelf Camping Zone also has a sixth individual campsite near its boundary around the 11.9-mile mark, but it has limited views and no easy access to water. All of these sites tend to experience high winds, so hikers should plan accordingly. Mule deer and porcupines are known to wander the area, so it's recommended to store hiking poles inside tents to prevent them from chewing on the sweat-soaked cork or foam handles. No matter which campsite is selected, hikers will gain approximately 2,000 feet in elevation camping in the Death Canyon Shelf Camping Zone.

Death Canyon Shelf to North Fork of Cascade Canyon

Following the Death Canyon Shelf Camping Zone, the trail meanders through rolling hills blanketed with wildflowers before descending into the Alaska Basin, a sprawling meadow scattered with boulders and framed by the imposing Buck Mountain and Peak 11094.

Within the basin, hikers can find shade among clusters of pine trees and access at least three water sources: two steady streams and Mirror Lake. All stream crossings in the Alaska Basin, like elsewhere on the Teton Crest Trail, require only simple rock hopping. To reach Mirror Lake, hikers must take a 0.4-mile detour off the main trail.

After ascending out of the basin via switchbacks, the trail gently descends and arrives at Sunset Lake around the 15.9-mile mark. Perched at 9,659 feet, Sunset Lake is the last reliable water source before reaching the streams in the South Fork of Cascade Canyon, about 19 miles into the hike. As hikers make their way toward the lake, they’ll spot Battleship Mountain (10,679') rising prominently in the distance.

Beyond Sunset Lake, the trail climbs steeply to Hurricane Pass, located 1.5 miles further along. At 10,338 feet, Hurricane Pass is the second highest point on the Teton Crest Trail, offering expansive views of South, Middle, and Grand Teton, as well as the western portion of Cascade Canyon. Just below Hurricane Pass, at the start of the South Fork of Cascade Canyon, hikers will come across Schoolroom Glacier—the first of two glaciers visible along the Teton Crest Trail—along with a stunning turquoise glacial lake beneath it.

A short spur trail leads from the main path to the glacier, allowing hikers to get a closer look. As the trail continues to descend from the glacier, another spur trail provides access to the lake.

From the lake, the trail descends further into the South Fork of Cascade Canyon, where views of Middle and Grand Teton, along with Table Mountain, remain prominent. During the descent, hikers will find plenty of water, including South Fork Cascade Creek and several small streams that cross or parallel the trail. The South Fork of Cascade Canyon also offers views of multiple waterfalls, including several along the creek and at least three that cascade over 600 feet down the canyon's far side from the peaks above.

Around the 24-mile mark, the trail reaches the North Fork of Cascade Canyon, where hikers begin a steady ascent toward the North Fork Cascade Canyon Camping Zone. Near the 24.6-mile mark, the trail crosses a footbridge over North Fork Cascade Creek, a convenient spot to filter water from. Within a quarter mile of this crossing, the North Fork Cascade Canyon Camping Zone begins. Over the next 1.5 miles, the trail continues to climb, with nearly a dozen campsites scattered on either side. The campsites on the right side of the trail generally offer better views of Grand Teton (13,775'), Mount Owen (12,928') and Teewinot Mountain (12,325), collectively known as the Cathedral Group, along with convenient access to North Fork Cascade Creek.

In contrast, most of the campsites on the left side of the trail lack easy access to water, so filtering water at the footbridge is recommended. Depending on the campsite selected, hikers will gain between 2,100 and 2,700 feet in elevation from the Death Canyon Shelf Camping Zone to the North Fork Cascade Canyon Camping Zone.

North Fork Cascade Canyon to String Lake

From the North Fork Cascade Canyon Camping Zone, the trail ascends further, passing a small waterfall along the creek near the 26.3-mile mark.

Just 0.2 miles beyond this crossing, the trail reaches Lake Solitude. The lake, encircled on three sides by a 1,500-foot-tall headwall, is arguably the most picturesque body of water along the Teton Crest Trail.

A rocky peninsula on the southern shore offers hikers an incredible view of the park's first, second, and sixth tallest peaks to the south. Those daring enough to brave its frigid waters will discover spots along the peninsula where they can dive into the lake, with depths reaching nearly twenty feet in places.

After Lake Solitude, the trail climbs steeply along a talus slope, gaining nearly 1,700 feet of elevation over 2.2 miles.

During the challenging ascent, often considered the crux of the hike, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Cathedral Group to the south and Lake Solitude to the north.

Above and to the left of Lake Solitude, on the far side of Cascade Canyon, lies the Petersen Glacier, with the turquoise Mica Lake below.

About two-thirds of the way up, sharp-eyed hikers may also spot Schoolroom Glacier in the distance to the south. Finally, at around the 28.7-mile mark, the trail reaches Paintbrush Divide. At an elevation of 10,720 feet, Paintbrush Divide is the highest point on the Teton Crest Trail and offers sweeping views of Mount Woodring (11,595'), Mount Moran (12,610'), Rockchuck Peak (11,149'), Mount Saint John (11,435'), and more.

The descent from Paintbrush Divide is initially steep and rocky. Within half a mile, the trail crosses a year-round snowfield and then continues downward along a more manageable path.

Around the 29.5-mile mark, the trail reaches Paintbrush Canyon's first water source, a small, crystal clear runoff pond on the left side of the trail. Shortly after, the Upper Paintbrush Canyon Camping Zone begins, stretching for about 0.7 miles. Within this zone, beneath the shadow of Mount Woodring, lies Holly Lake. While the main trail doesn't access Holly Lake, hikers can reach it by following a 0.4-mile spur trail if they so choose. From the main trail just above Holly Lake, hikers can also catch a distant view of Leigh Lake far beyond it.

As the trail continues its long, gradual descent through Paintbrush Canyon, it parallels and crosses Paintbrush Creek multiple times, offering views of small waterfalls. Indian paintbrush, for which the canyon is named, are plentiful in the middle section of the canyon.

With approximately 5 miles to go, landscape transitions from open terrain with views of towering peaks and pristine lakes to a densely forested environment. The Lower Paintbrush Canyon Camping Zone spans from about 33.4 to 34.2 miles and is entirely within the forested section of the canyon. After several miles of traversing the dense forest, the trail traces the east side of String Lake and ends at the String Lake Trailhead, 38.4 miles from the start of the hike at Rendezvous Peak. Hikers can expect a total elevation gain of between 2,300 and 2,800 feet from the North Fork Cascade Canyon Camping Zone to the trail's end.